Fashion as sculpture, as avant-garde expression, as spectacle: Thierry Mugler’s career pushed the boundaries of what fashion design and clothing could mean.
Mugler, who went by Manfred in later years, founded his brand in 1973 with his first personal collection. By the late 1990s, he was more famous for his fragrances, thanks to the brand’s best seller Angel. But vintage Mugler dresses and gowns have recently returned to red carpets, worn by stars like Kim Kardashian, Cardi B and Hailey Bieber.
Mugler’s penchant for performance, drama and costuming came from his background in ballet, having danced as a teenager with the Opéra national du Rhin in his hometown of Strasbourg, France. In the 1980s and ’90s, his couture shows were theatrical and futuristic, similar to those of his contemporaries Jean Paul Gaultier and Christian Lacroix.
In one of Mugler’s shows, the then-pregnant legendary supermodel Pat Cleveland (part of the coterie of glamorous muses associated with designer Halston) was suspended from the ceiling and then glided down the runway surrounded by clouds of smoke.
Mugler would become known for his immaculate tailoring as well as for his increasingly avant-garde designs that featured sharp cuts, sexy and fetishistic elements, an integration of metal and uniquely treated materials like PVC and leather. Recent years have seen Mugler’s archival designs, especially from his 1995 haute couture show, take center stage, coinciding with the resurgence of camp in fashion and the return of bodycon dresses.
The French cosmetics company Clarins SA acquired Mugler’s brand in 1997, and its founder stepped back from the label in 2002. The house’s roster of clients has included some of the most visionary figures in fashion, from David Bowie and Diana Ross to Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, and the founder’s influence on over-the-top fashion can be seen in the work of designers such as Jeremy Scott and Alexander McQueen.
Find vintage Thierry Mugler corset tops, suits, sunglasses and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
THIERRY MUGLER Vintage Grey & Pink Resin Hoop Earrings
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Nice, FR
THIERRY MUGLER vintage pearly grey and pink resin hoop earrings (for pierced ears). Embossed TM. Indicative measurements : height approx. 5.4 cm (2.13 inches) / width approx 5 cm (...
$3,699Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 0.6 in W 0.16 in D 0.16 in L 0.16 in
RRP £4, 650 TIFFANY & CO PLATINUM 0.56 CT DIAMOND SOLITAIRE STUD EARRINGS PAiR
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of Tiffany & Co Platinum and 0.56ct Diamond Solitaire stud earrings complete with all the original paperwork RR...
Diamond, Platinum
$1,680 / item
H 0.24 in W 0.2 in D 0.12 in
Alex Sepkus "Little Windows" Stud Earrings with Diamonds in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Alex Sepkus
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From the studio of Alex Sepkus in New York - 18 karat yellow gold "Little Windows" button earrings with post and with white brilliant cut diamonds. These shimmering Little Windows st...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$14,919Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 0.63 in W 0.24 in D 0.24 in L 0.24 in
Rrp £20, 000 Tiffany & Co Platinum 1.40 Ct Diamond Solitaire Stud Earrings Pair
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of huge Tiffany & Co Platinum and 1.40ct Diamond Solitaire stud earrings RRP £20,000 An ...
Diamond, Platinum
$14,520 / item
D 0.32 in Dm 0.65 in
Annamaria Cammilli "Sultana" Earrings with Diamonds in Three Shades of 18K Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Vision collection, medium size Sultana earrings handcrafted in 18 karat Black Lava, Natural Beige and White Ice gold. Three ruffles in white, beige and blac...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$7,785 / item
D 0.12 in Dm 0.54 in
Alex Sepkus "Little Windows" Stud Earrings with Diamonds in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Alex Sepkus
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From the studio of Alex Sepkus in New York - 18 karat yellow gold "Little Windows" button earrings with post and with white brilliant cut diamonds. These shimmering Little Windows ea...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$12,750 / item
H 0.71 in W 0.65 in D 0.12 in Dm 0.65 in L 0.65 in
Alex Sepkus Ocean Earrings with Blue Sapphires and Green Tsavorites in Gold
By Alex Sepkus
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From the studio of Alex Sepkus in New York - 18 karat yellow gold "Ocean" earrings with blue sapphires, green tsavorite garnets and diamonds. These shimmering Ocean earrings are of h...
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold,...
$2,780Sale Price / item|20% Off
Ralph Masri Phoenician Script Diamond and Sapphire Earrings
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
18kt white gold earrings with diamonds and sapphire pears from Ralph Masri's Phoenician Script collection, inspired by the ancient Phoenician alphabet. Available in white, yellow or...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
$3,760 / item
D 0.12 in Dm 0.34 in
Alex Sepkus "Swirling Water" Stud Earrings with Diamonds in Platinum
By Alex Sepkus
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From the studio of Alex Sepkus in New York - "Swirling Water" stud earrings with post and with six white brilliant cut diamonds, made in platinum. Total diamond weight of two diamo...
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Ralph Masri Domed Arabesque Deco Diamond Earrings
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Elegant 18kt white gold domed earrings with diamonds (1.90cts) from Ralph Masri's Arabesque Deco collection, inspired by Middle Eastern patterns and motifs infused with an Art Deco t...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$9,250 / item
Ralph Masri Heliopolis Diamond Gold Earrings
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
18kt yellow gold earrings with diamonds from Ralph Masri's Heliopolis collection, inspired by ancient Roman patterns and motifs. Available in yellow, rose or white gold. Push back...
Diamond, 18k Gold
$11,610 / item
D 0.28 in Dm 0.67 in
Annamaria Cammilli "Sultana" Stud Earrings with Diamonds in 18 Karat White Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Vision collection, Sultana earrings handcrafted in 18 karat white gold. Single ruffle style is outlined with bead set white diamonds at 0.36 carat total wei...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ralph Masri Modernist Circular Diamond and Emerald Earrings
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
18kt white gold earrings with diamonds and emeralds from Ralph Masri's Modernist collection, inspired by mid-century Modernist architecture with an emphasis on minimalist shapes and ...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold